A defense startup company has invented a new drone recovery and launch system which will be using vertically mounted pins to capture and release drones. The recover and launch system, can grab a drone from a moving platform then launch it back out, all without needing any assistance from people. Named “The Talon Device”, the launch and recovery system was designed and developed by Target Arm, one of the leading companies in drone technology. The Talon solves the problem of having to stop a vehicle in order to deploy or launch a drone.

The Talon uses downward and upward facing pins to secure the drone in place automatically, creating a jail like enclosure from which the drone can’t escape. To launch The Talon drone, the operator only needs to power it up then release the pins. Launching a drone from a moving vehicle has the added advantage of getting the drone up to takeoff speeds quickly, enabling it to match the speed of it’s target more quickly. According to a profile of the Talon system in Aviation Weekly & Space Technology, the system has the ability to capture most drones. The system can be adapted to vehicles, aircraft, ships and more. Target Arm even has a concept for using the system in space.

The Talon works by applying very light pressure to the pins. Collectively, all of the pins used to trap the drones only applies about one pound of pressure in order to hold the drone in place. That is enough to bring any drone to a full stop without causing any kind of damage to it. According to Target Arm, the Talon can be fixed on almost any existing platform and be used as a drone pit stop. A launch and recovery system such as the Talon can be useful particularly in the military for operating drones while under enemy fire. One benefit of the Talon is that it can operate from moving vehicles and boats for scouting missions without having to stop to operate them. Target Arm will be demonstrating the Talon to the US Army on October 20th at the Maneuver Center of Excellence.